Head for puncturing closure disks



May 23, 1933.

Fig: @L 5/ 35 7 6 6 N- 1%@ Mfr/ O. N, WISWELL HEAD FOR PUNCTURING CLOSURE DISKS Filed March 2, 1931 Patented May 23, 1933 UNITED STATES PATEN FFECE OZRO N. WISWELL, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO C-O-TWO FIR-E EQUIP- MENT COMPANY, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, .A` CORPORATION F CALIFORNIA HEAD FOR PUNCTURING CLOSURE DISKS Application filed March 2,

This invention relates to lire extinguishing equipment, and relates more particularly to a device for puncturing the closure disk of a container holding a lire extinguishing medium under pressure.

In fire extinguishing systems employing carbon dioxide or like fire extinguishing agents or mediums, the medium is usually contained under pressure in steel cylinders or flasks. TheI discharge outlets of the fluidcontaining cylinders are usually closed by penetrable closure disks adapted to be punc tured or cut out to release the fluid. Discharge heads of various types are provided on the containers for puncturing the closure disks to release the fluid from the containers. One type of discharge head in general use involves a cutter for penetrating the penetrable closure disk and means for operating the cutter which includes a stem projecting vertically upward from thel head and operable upon being depressed to actuate the cutter. The type of dischargey head referred to is usually comparatively long so that it projects a considerable distance from the top of the fluid container, and the container must be positioned so that the operating stem 'of the head is readily accessible for operation or depression. In certain situations it is sometimes desirable or necessary to position a container of the fire extinguishingV medium adjacent or below a shelf, or the like, Where there is insufficient space for a discharge head of the type referred to, or insufiicient space to permit the. ready actuation of the head.

Discharge heads for puncturing closure disks of fluid containers have been introduced that embody cutters operable by turning a screw-threaded steln. This screw-actuated type of discharge head must necessarily be comparatively large as the actuating stem has considerable longitudinal movement and must be packed about by packing glands, or the like. Further, the screw-actuating stem has a compound movement; that is, rotary and longitudinal movement, andthe means for actuating the stem must, accordingly, be capable of a like movement.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a simple, compact, and effective de- 1931. lSerial N0. 519,471.

vice for puncturing the closure disk of a fluid container.

lt is another object of the invention to provide a discharge head for puncturing av closuredisk that .may be embodied in a comparatively short structure to occupy a minimum amount of vertical space the upper end of a fluid container and that may be. actuated by a horizontal force.

Itis another object of the invention to provide a discharge head of the character mentioned that includes a cutter that is operable by turning or partial rotation to make a circular cut of approximately 2700 in the closure disk so that the central portion of the disk Vmay be bent or hinged back by the discharge of the fluid to permit the free, unrestricted outward flow of fluid.

Another object of the invention is to providel a discharge head of the character mentioned in which the cutter is caused te puncture the disk by cam means during its rotation and moves inwardly topuncture the disk While turning and continues in its rotary movement to make the circular cutter'.

It is another object of the invention to provide a discharge head ofthe character mentioned that is constructed so that the operating force may be applied in one direction, for example, in a horizontal direction, and Without compound movement. The device is such that it may be set to have the force applied in any one of a plurality ofdiflerent horizontal directions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a discharge head for puncturing a closure disk that is simple and inexpensive of manufacture and that is constructed so as to be readily dissembled for inspection, etc.

Other objects andy features of my inventionnwill be best and more fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

F ig. 1 is a side elevation of the head provided by the present invention, showing it arranged on the valve of a typical fluid-containing cylinder. Fig. 2 is vertical detailed sectional view of the head, illustrating the parts in the normal or unactuated position. Figs. 3, 4, and are transverse detailed sectional views taken substantially as indicated by lines 3 3, 4--4, and 5 5 on Fig. 2 respectively. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view o1' a portion of the device showing the cam means in elevation. Fig. 7 is a side elevation oli' the cutter element embodied in the device.

The present invention is adapted to be embodied in iliorms for puncturing the closure disks of the various types of fluid containers and the valves or fittings ot various types of containers. 1n the drawing, l have illustrated the head mounted on a typical cylinder filling and discharge litting or valve 10 arranged on the upper end of a cylinder C of the class commonly employed for containing carbon dioxide, and the like. It is to be understood that the invention is not to be taken as limited or restricted to the particular form or .application vabout to be described, but that it is to be taken as including any features or modifications that may fall within the scope of the claims.

rllhe cylinder valve 10 illustrated in the drawing is intended to facilitate the filling and discharging of the cylinder C and the connection of the discharge head with the cylinder. The particular type of cylinder valve illustrated includes a body 11 having a stem 12 on its lower end threaded into the openino' in the upper end ot the cylinder C. A central vertical. opening 13 is provided in the valve body 11 to discharge fluid from the cylinder. ylhe opening 13 is closed by a penetrable closure disk 14. The closure disk 14 is held in the closing position across the opening 13 by a tubular nut 15 screw-threaded into the upper end of the opening. The cylinder valve 10 includes various other parts common to devices of this general character.

The fluid releasing` device or discharge head provided by the present invention includes, generally, a body 16, a cutter 17 in the body for pertorating the closure disk 14, and means 18 tor operating the cutter.

rlhe body 16 of the head is adapted to be detachably mounted on the body 11 ot the cylinder valve. The body 16 may be an integral member having a screw-threaded socket 19 in its lower end for receiving a screw-threaded projection 20 on the upper end oli the cylinder valve. In accordance with the invention, the body 16 oit the head i s ch ainbered, being provided with a central vertical opening or chamber 21 for housing the cutter 17 and various other parts ci the device. rllhe upper projecting end of the tubular nut 15 is disposed within the lower end of the chamber 21. The upper end of the chamber 21 is closed, as illustrated in the drawing. An opening 22 is provided in the Vwalls of the body 16 to communicate with the chamber 21. rlhe opening 22 is adapted to receive the end of a fluid discharge conduit 23. The lower end portion of the body 16 may bc polygonal, while the upper end 24 of the bocy is preferably round.

The cutter 17 is arranged within the body 16 and is provided. to cut or perforate the closure disk 14 to release fluid ironi the cylinder C. 1n the particular form of the invention illustrated in the drawing, the cutter 17 is tubular and adapted to pass liuid upwardly from the opening 13 into the chamber 21. The cutter 17 isset round cross section and slidably and rotatably fits the opening 25 in the nut 15. The opening 26 in the cutter 17 extends upwardly ilrom the lower end of the cutter and terminates at a point within the chamber 21. Lateral ports 28 are provided in the cutter 17 to discharge fluid from the upper end ot the opening 26 into tl e chainber 21. A knife point or cutting part 29 is provided on the lower end of the cutter 17 to cut the closure disk 14. The cutting part 2S) is designed to firstpertorate the closure disk and then make a circular cut in the disk during rotary or turning movement of the cutter. The cutting part 29 projects downwardly from the lower end of the cutter at its pcriphery to make a circular cut of maximum diameter in the disk. 1n the particular case tion. The edges of the cutting part 29 are sharpened and its inner side may be inclined illustrated in the drawing, the cutter part 29 l is substantially semi-circular in side elevadownwardly and outwardly to provide it with a pointed lower end. The cutter 17 is normally held in a position where the cutting part 29 is spaced above the closure disk 14.

rllhe means 13 ior actuating'the cutter 17 is operable to turn oi partially rotate the cutter and cause downward or inward movement of the cutter during itsrotation to force the cutting part 29 through the closure disk to make a circular cut therein. The means 13 includes means 30 ttor turning the cutter a limited eX- tent, and means 31 for moving the cutter downwardly during its rotation to torce the cutting part 29 through the closure disk 14.

ln accordance with the broader aspects et the invention, the means 'for turning or rotating the cutter 17 may be varied considerably in character. ln the particular emboc iinent of the invention illustrated in the drawing, the means 30 `tor turning or partially rotating the cutter 17 may be either manually or mechanically actuated and is such that it may be controlled or operated from a point remote from the discharge head. rllie means 3() includes, generally, an extension or stem 32 on the upper end of the cutter 17, a drum 33 connected with the stem 32, and a cable 34 wound on the drum 33. 'lhefstem 32 is in the nature of an extension on the upper end of the cutter 17 and may be integral with` the cutter. The stem 32 extends through a vertical opening 35 in the body 16 to project from the upper end thereof. The portion 36 of the stein projecting from the body 16 is of polygonal cross section, for example, of square cross section, while the portion of the stem in the opening is round to slidably and rotatably lit the opening.

Trie drum 33 is provided to carry the actuating cable 34 and is connected with the stem rlhe drum 33 may be provided with a central boss 37 having a polygonal opening 33 to slid-ably carry and co-operate with the polygonal portion 36 of the stem. A bearing projection 39 may loe provided on the upper end of the body 16 to lit a socket 40 in the lower side of the boss 37 to rotatably support the drum An upwardly proj ecting axial flange 41 is provided at the periphery of the drum to carry the cable 34.

Any suitable form of flexible line or cable may be employed in connection with the drinn 33. ln the drawing I have .illustrated a s-t'eranded cable 34 wound on the flange 41 of the drum. The cable 34 may have .several turns on the flange 41 and may have its end attached to the drum 33 in any suitable inanner. yllhe cable 34 may be made sufliciently long to extend any desired distance from the discharge head.

ln the preferred form of the inventioma housing is provided to cover or encase the drinn 33. rihe drum-enclosing housing may include a body part 42 surrounding the periphery of the drum and having a downwardly projecting flange 43 surrounding the upper portion 24 of the body. The housing part may be removably and adjustably attached to the body by set screws 44 having i"- te'jl inner ends extending into an annular grooe 4F in the round portion 24 of the body. tagential opening 46 isprovided in the i. Jing part 42 to pass the cable '34 from the d aun. A suitable guiding boss 47 may be pro vided around the outer end of the opening A tubing or conduit 43 may be provided f amund the outer end of the opening 46. A

1. ing or conduit 48 may be provided to eX- rmd outwardly from the boss 47 for encasing and guiding the cable 34. It will be apparent that the cable 34 may be made to pass En any desired direction 'from the drum 33 by loosening the screws 44 and turning the housing part 42 to the desired rotative position. A cover plate 49 may be provided to close the upper end of the housing part 42.

The means 31 is in the nature of a cam means and provided to cause a limited .downward or inward movement of the cutter 17 upon its being turned or partially rotated.

The cam means 31 includes parts on the cut- 1 17 and the body 16 which have co-operaty am ming action to cause downward moveunnt of the cutter 17 during its rotation. In the particular form of invention illustrated in the drawing, the cam means 31 is within the chamber 21 and includes an annular -radial flange 50 on the cutter 17. The upper side of the flange 50 is spaced below the upper wall of the chamber 21. A curved cam ridge 51 is provided on the upper side of the flange 50. The ridge 51 is curved concentrically about the axis of rotation ofthe cutter 17 and may extend approximately 240 around the flange. One end ofthe ridge 51 may terminate in an abrupt or axial shoulder, while the other end of the ridge is in the form of a earn face 52 which is gradually inclined downward to join the upper side of the flange 50.

The part on the body 16 for co-operating with the cam ridge 51 may be in the nature of a pin 53 having a rounded head projecting downwardly from the upper wall of the chamber 21. The rounded lower end of the pin 53 is adapted to co-operate with the upper side of the cam ridge 51 and the upper side of the flange 50. When the parts are in the normal position, the pin 53 engages the upper side of the flange 5() at a point spaced from the cam face 52. Upon rotation or turning of the cutter 17 in the direction for its operation, the cam face 52 is brought into engagement with the pin 53 so that the cutter 17 is forced downwardly. Continued turning of the cutter causes the upper side of' the cam ridge to co-operate with the pin Upon the cam face 52 co-operating with the pin 53, the cutting part 29 is forced downwardly through the closure disk 14 and the co-operation between the pin 53 and the upper side of the ridge 51 maintains the cutting part 29 in its down position where it makes a circular cut in the closure disk.

The invention provides means for normally holding the cutter 17 in a position where the flange 50 is in co-operate engagement with the pin 53 and where the cutting part 29 is spaced above the closed disk 14. A cam projection or ridge 54 is provided in the lower side of the iiange'O. The cam ridge 54 may be similar to the ridge 51 and may have an inclined end or cam face 55 at one end. The other end of the ridge 54 may be substantially radial. The opposite ends of the cam ridge 54 may be in axial alignment with the opposite ends of the ridge v51 so that the cam faces 52 and 55 are parallel. A bolt or screw 56 may be threaded through an opening 57 in the body 16 to have its inner ond project into the chamber 21. The proj ecting inner end of the screw 56 is intended to co-operate with the low-er side of the flange 50 and cam ridge 54. The cam ridges 51 and 54 are related so that the screw 56 engages the upper side of the ridge 54 at a point adjacent its abrupt end, while the pin 53 engages the upper side of the flange 50 at va point spaced from the cam face 52 and adjacent the abrupt end of the ridge 51. Upon turning of the cutter 17, caused by unwinding of the cable 34 from the drum '30, the

lll)

cutter is turned for approximately 120, at which time the pin 53 and the screw 56 simultaneously engage the cam faces 52 and 53 so that the cutter is forced downwardly. Further turning of the cutter does not cause its longitudinal movement, as the pin 53 rides over the flat upper end of the cam face 51. Turning of the cutter is limited by the engagement of the axial end of the cam ridge 5a with the screw 56. The cam means 31 operates to give the cutter limited downward movement during its turning and to limit its turning motion.

lt is to be understood that the location and character of the cam means for moving the cutter 17 downwardly to cut the closure disk may be varied considerably without departing from the broader features of the invention. 1t is readily apparent that the cam means may be embodied in the construction at a point exterior of the chan'iber 21. Further, the cam parts proper might well be provided on the body 16. or other stationary part, to be (1o-operated 'with by parts on the cutter assembly. ln view of these obvious variations in the means for movi ng the cutter downward, the invention is not to be considered as restricted to the specific cam uieans 51 described above.

1t is believed that the utility and practicability of the discharge head provided by the present invention will be readily apparent from the foregoi detailed description. The parts are normally positioned as illustrated throughout the drawing with the cam pin 53 retained in engagement with the upper side of the flange by the screw 56 engaging the lower side of the cam ridge 54. Upon the cable 34 boing actuated or unwound from the,

drum 30, the cutter 17 is turned in a direction to bring` the cam face '32 into engzi-fie1iieiit with the pin 53 and the screw 56 into one' y ment with the cam face During this preliminary movement of the cutter 17, the cutting part 29 remains spaced above the scadingddisk 14. Engagement of the cani face o2 with the pin 53 causes the cutter to be abruptly or rapidly shifted downwardly so tha t the cutting` part 29 is forced through the sealing disk 14;. During further turning of the cutter, the upper end of the cam ridge 51 rides along or co-operates with the 1A)in 53 so that the cutting part 29 'is maintained in its d own position to make circular cut in the closure disk. Turningof the cutter 17 stoop-wl or limited by the straight end of the lower cam ridge 53 which comes into engagement with the screw 56 to prevent the central part of the disk 14 from being completely cut out. Upon the closure disk 14 being cut by the cutting` part 29 in the manner described above, the fluid under pressure contained within the cylinder C forces or bends the central portion of the disk 14 outwardly so that it hinges between the opposite ends of the cut made by the part 29. This central portion of the closure disk is forced outwardly by the fluid pressure to lie against the walls of the opening 26 so that the fluid may freely discharge outwardly into the chamber 21 and discharge conduit 23.

1t is to be noted that during the actuation of the device the cutter 17 moves downwardly relative to the drum 33 and that there is no longitudinal or vertical movement of the drum. lie head may be quickly dissembled for .inspection as the body 16 may be removed from the housing 64 by loosening the set screws da. The stem 32 is free to slide downwardly out of the opening 38 upon the body 'i6 being removed. The body 16 may be easily removed from the cylinder valve by initlireeding it from the threaded projection 20. Tae housing part Ll2 may be set in any desired rotative position to permit the cable 3d to extend tangentially from the drum 33 in any desired direction. The cam faces 52 and maybe formed. so that the cutting part 2S) rapidly forced downwardly through the cle. e dis durin operation of the head. The assembly is particularly compact and occupies but little vertical space at the upper end of the container. The cable 34 may be actuatci'gi in any suitable manner, either manually or nieclninically, and the head is adapt ed Alier use in systems involving a plurality of interconnected units or in an installation involving a single fluid container.

Having described only a typical preferred form of my invention, 1 do not wish to limit myself to the specific details set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any changes or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, l claim:

1. A, releasing device for use in connection with a fluid container having an opening` and a closure for the opening which comprises a cutter operable to cut the closure, and means for operating the cutter including, means operable from a point remote from the device for turning the cutter, and cam means for shifting the cutter longitudinally a limited distance to puncture the closure and for holdin n; it against further longitudinal movement during turning.

2. n. releasing device for use in connection with a fluid container having` an opening and a closure for the opening which. includes, a body adapted to be applied to the con- .rr in the body for puncturing the sure. and means for operating the cutter nluding means at the exterior of the body for turning the cutter. and cam means in the body for moving the cutter longitudinally duringl its turning` to puncture the closure and for preventing continued longitudinal movement of the cutter after the closure is punctured during continued turning.

3. A releasing device for use in connection with a fluid container having an opening and a closure for the opening which comprises a cutter operable to cut the closure, means for turning the cutter and for moving the cutter longitudinally to puncture the closure during a portion of its turning movement and for continuing turning of the cutter after puncturing of the closure Without further longitudinal movement of the cutter, and means for limiting the turning move ment of the cutter so that it makes a circular cut in the closure of less than 360.

4, A releasing device for use in connection with a fluid container having an opening and a closure for the opening which includes tivo elements, one a stationary body, the other a movable cutter for puncturing and cutting the closure, and means for operating the cutter including means for turning the cutter, means for moving the cutter longitudinally during the first portion only of its turning to cut into the closure, the last mentioned means including a cam part on one element for co-operating with a part on the other element and means for limiting the turning movement of the cutter to cut less than 350 around the closure.

5. A releasing device for use in connection with a fluid container having an opening and a closure for the opening which comprises a cutter operable to cut the closure, and means for operating the cutter including means for turning the cutter, and means for moving the cutter longitudinally into engagement with the closure during a portion of its motion to make a circular cut in the closure, there being a sliding connection between the means for turning the cutter and the cutter.

6. A releasing device foruse in connection With a fluid container having an opening and a closure for the opening which comprises a cutter operable to cut the closure, and means for operating the cutter including means for turning the cutter, moving the cutter longitudinally to pierce the closure during its turning, and for continuing turning of the cutter Without further longitudinal movement, comprising a drum mounted for rotation in a fixed plane and carrying an operating line, and an operating connection between the drum and cutter through which the cutter is turned from the drum and may shift longitudinally relative to the drum.

7L A device for releasing fluid from a container having an opening and a closure for the opening including a cutter, means for turning the cutter about its longitudinal axis, and cam means operated by turning the eutter to initially move the cutter longitudinally during a comparatively small part of the turning motion of the cutter to pierce the closure and to thereafter hold the cutter against further longitudinal movement.

8. A device for releasing fluid from a container having an opening and a closure for the opening which includes a body adapted to be applied to the container, the body having a chamber communicating With the opening of the container and a discharge opening for the chamber, a cutter in the body for puncturing the closure, and means for operating the cutter including a drum rotatable on the body for turning the cutter, a flexible line engaged around the drum and having one end extending to a point remote from the body, and means in the body for moving the cutter longitudinally during the initial portion of its turning movement to pierce the closure and for holding the cutter against longitudinal movement during the remainder of the turning movement.

In Witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 6th day of February, 1981.

OZRO N. WISWELL. 

